Contactless IR Communication for Rotating Dissolution Sensors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional slip rings introduce electrical noise and require maintenance due to debris and wear, and mercury-filled slip rings are unsuitable for applications where contamination is a health risk or at low temperatures.

Innovation Solution

An infrared-based contactless electrical transmission system is used between a rotating sensor and a stationary control system, employing IR transmitters and receivers to maintain communication without physical contact, reducing noise and maintenance needs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional slip rings with brush-like contacts are used, then electrical connection between stationary and rotating components is maintained, but electrical noise is introduced and maintenance is required due to debris and wear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connection stabilityVSAvoidelectrical noise and debris

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical brush-like contact system with an optical communication system using infrared transmitters and receivers. This substitution eliminates physical contact between stationary and rotating components, thereby eliminating electrical noise and wear-related debris while maintaining reliable signal transmission across the rotating interface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces infrared light as an intermediary medium to transfer information between the stationary communicator and rotating communicator. This optical intermediary replaces direct electrical contact, allowing signal transmission without physical connection, thus avoiding the harmful effects of mechanical contact such as noise and wear

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If mercury-filled slip rings are used, then low resistance and stable connectivity are achieved, but contamination risk and temperature limitations are introduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnectivity stabilityVSAvoidmercury contamination and temperature constraints

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mercury-based electrical contact system with an optical communication system. This substitution eliminates the use of mercury entirely, removing contamination risks and temperature limitations associated with mercury's freezing point, while maintaining stable connectivity through reliable infrared transmission

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses infrared light as an intermediary to transmit signals between stationary and rotating components without requiring any physical contact medium. This eliminates the need for mercury or other conductive materials, thereby removing all associated contamination and temperature constraints

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If static wires are used to connect rotating sensors to stationary signal processors, then electrical connection is established, but wire tearing occurs due to continuous rotation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connectionVSAvoidwire lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical wire connection system with an optical communication system using infrared transmitters and receivers. This substitution eliminates the need for physical wires connecting rotating and stationary components, thereby eliminating wire tearing caused by continuous rotation while maintaining reliable signal transmission

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces infrared light as an intermediary to carry information across the rotating interface without requiring any physical connection. This allows the rotating sensor to communicate with the stationary signal processor indefinitely without wire degradation or tearing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The contactless system provides stable and low-noise data transmission, eliminating the risks associated with mercury and maintaining functionality across a range of temperatures, including those below -40°C.

Implementation Method 1

the transmitter is an infrared transmitter and the receiver is an infrared receiver

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared radiation: Infrared Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS10164716B2Contactless communication between rotating and stationary components

Publication Date: 2018.12.25 DISTEK INC

AI summary

In one embodiment, a dissolution-testing apparatus uses a contactless communication system in place of a conventional slip ring. The communication system has a rotating infra-red (IR) communicator and a stationary IR communicator. The dissolution-testing apparatus includes a stationary base having a processor and a rotating shaft having a sensor array including at least a first sensor. The rotating communicator is part of a rotating communication module including a battery and a housing and adapted to be fixed to the shaft for rotation with the shaft. The stationary communicator is adapted to be fixed to the stationary base. The rotating communicator is adapted to (i) receive data from the first sensor while the rotating communicator rotates and (ii) transmit data corresponding to the sensor data to the stationary communicator in a contactless manner while the rotating communicator rotates with respect to the stationary communicator.